Business travellers against rail nationalisation, GTMC finds

Representative body releases new findings from AudienceNet urging government to work with existing rail operators

31/05/2017

Just six per cent of
young business travellers are in favour of nationalisation of the UK rail
network, new research from the GTMC has found.

Business travellers
aged 50-59 years old were twice as likely to support nationalisation compared
to their counterparts aged 18-34, though the older generational figure was
still a minority 15 per cent.

Research conducted by AudienceNet, revealed
that business travellers are keen for government to work with existing
operators to resolve issues. Almost a third (27 per cent) of frequent business
travellers see this as the fairest action to take. The number opting for
nationalisation was level with those who believe in investment in the operator
(10 per cent), both were behind the second most popular option, consultation
with passengers (19 per cent).

Paul Wait, CEO GTMC,
said: "It is evident that government action needs to be taken to improve
the UK rail network and frequent business travellers have made it clear that
nationalisation is not the popular nor the right option. This research clearly
demonstrates that frequent business travellers want to see the Government
working in partnership with train operating companies to resolve problems
rather than taking ideological positions which will cause major instability to
the rail network. In our own election manifesto we have also called on the next
government to complete rail infrastructure improvements, such as HS2, in a
timely fashion. The UK rail network is vital for facilitating business travel
within the UK and overseas and without an effective service economic growth
will be diminished."